Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Parks Menu

Tenney Park

Tenney Park
Address: 1414 E. Johnson St.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type:> Community
Acres: 38.12
Restroom: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Mendota & Yahara River

Park History

Originally 14 acres of marshland, this parcel was purchased in 1899 by the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association with a grant of $4,000 from Madison attorney, Daniel K. Tenney. The MPPDA hired Ossian Cole Simonds, a landscape architect, to design a park on the site, intended to serve the families of working men and women who lived near the shops and factories on the isthmus. The park has been expanded and its plan altered several times, but the lagoon and island were part of Simonds' original plan.

Tenney Park was designated a City of Madison Landmark on July 10, 1995 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Read more about the park's history in the Tenney Park Landmark Nomination Form (PDF).

At this Park

  • Madison Parks ranks #1 in the nation for the number of basketball hoops per resident, come check out the hoops in your neighborhood! Most of the basketball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations. 

    View all Basketball Courts

    • Tenney Park - Basketball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 1 full

    • Tenney Park - Basketball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 1 half

  • NO LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY
    Due to limited staffing resources, we are unable to provide lifeguards at the beaches for this season. We apologize for this reduction in service. Beaches are cleaned several times each week and remain open when PHMDC's water quality testing is acceptable.

    WATER QUALITY
    Water quality testing is performed Memorial Day through Labor Day by Public Health Madison & Dane County. Results are posted on this page with "OK" or "CLOSED." If CLOSED, the beach area and park remain open but the water is closed for swimming. Please do not go in the water.  

    RESTROOMS
    Beginning Monday, July 11, restrooms at Vilas, B.B. Clarke and Bernie's beaches will be open daily, weather permitting, from approximately 11am to 7pm, in addition to Esther and Warner beaches. Due to limited staffing resources, all other beach restrooms remain closed. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this causes. Nearby restrooms at Tenney are located at the John Wall Family Pavilion. See RESTROOMS to view other open locations.  

    RULES
    Before your beach visit, please read the RULES. 

    View all Beaches

    • Tenney Beach

      Public Health Water Testing:
      Open
      Address: 1330 Sherman Ave.
      Restroom: No
      Drinking Water: Yes
      Parking: Parking Lot
      Amenities: Picnic Tables, Playground, Volleyball

      Swim Ropes: Yes
      Lifeguard: No

      Tenney Beach Details

  • OLIN BOAT LAUNCH TEMPORARY CLOSURE 

    The boat launch at Olin Park will be closed from 10pm, Friday, August 12 through 4am on Sunday, August 14, due to a permitted event. 

    Spring Harbor Boat Launch Closure - Starting October 2022

    Improvements are coming for the boat launch at Spring Harbor Park. City of Madison Engineering Division will be dredging the area starting in October 2022 and the launch will be closed. We anticipate completion by the end of December 2022. For updates and to learn more about the project, visit Spring Harbor Dredge. 

    CAUTION: OLBRICH BOAT LAUNCH ADVISORY

    Boaters are advised to use caution navigating the narrowed channel where the Starkweather Creek meets Lake Monona due to low lake levels and creek sediment. READ MORE

    ACCESSING THE LAKES 

    A daily or annual permit is required year-round at designated sites to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV (see locations below). Piers are available spring through fall. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions.  

    LAKE ACCESS PERMIT (Ordinance 8.215): See Purchase Permit 

    • A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV.
    • Purchase permit ONLINE or by calling during regular office hours. Onsite kiosks are not available. 
    • The permit is valid for the issue year through March 31 of the following year.
    • Permits for the following year may be purchased starting November 15 of the previous year. 
    • The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield. 
    • The permit is valid at designated launch sites throughout Dane County. MAP
    DESIGNATED CITY OF MADISON LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY LAKE
    • LAKE MONONA: Law, Olbrich, Olin 
    • LAKE MENDOTA: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner

    2022 Fees

    Daily $8
    Dane County Resident Annual $40
    Nonresident Annual $50
    Dane County Senior (65+) $21
    Nonresident Senior (65+) $28
    Disabled $21
    Duplicate/Replacement $18

    LAUNCH AREA PARKING RULES AND TIPS (Ordinance 8.16):

    • Long stalls are for parking vehicles with trailers only. 
    • Regular-size stalls are for parking vehicles with no trailer only. 
    • Parking on the grass is prohibited.
    • When the launch parking lot is full, you must find an alternative launch site
    • Violators are subject to a citation. 

    View all Boat Launches

    • Tenney Park - Boat Launch

      Lake Access Permit Required: Yes

      Notes: 1601 Sherman Ave.
  • Madison Parks offers various locations to launch a canoe or kayak and is allowed at all of Madison Parks motorboat launch sites. Additionally, the parks listed below have a specially designated area for launch.

    If you are looking to store your kayak or canoe in a park, please visit the storage webpage.

    James Madison Park pier update (as of 03/23/2021): The pier at James Madison Parks sustained significant damage during the flood of 2018 and was removed as a result. Due to FEMA regulations and approvals, the replacement of this pier is delayed. Unfortunately, we still do not have a timeline for its replacement.  View all Canoe & Kayak Launch Sites

  • Interested in getting out on one of Madison's lakes but you don't have your own watercraft? No problem! We have partners at locations throughout the city offering these great lake amenities!

    View all Canoe & Kayak Rental

  • Watercraft Storage Spaces 

    Explore Madison's beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks by paddle and store your canoe, kayak or paddleboard on the shores of your favorite park. All storage racks are outdoors and uncovered. The annual storage period begins each year on April 1 and ends on March 31 of the following year.
     
    How to Reserve:
    • You may be placed on our waitlist at no charge by calling (608) 266-4711 or EMAIL. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and any order of preferences on storage location.
    • Current users will be able to renew their watercraft storage beginning in late winter/early spring each year and must renew by April 1.
    • As spaces become available, those on the waitlist will be contacted after April 1 and given the opportunity to reserve a space.  
    2022 Storage costs (tax included):
    $110 Madison Resident
    $200 Non-Resident

    Watercraft storage rules include:
    • Watercraft must not exceed 100 pounds, 18' length, 42" width or 24" height.
    • Storage is for permitted watercraft only. No personal property.
    • Watercraft must be secured to the boat storage rack. The owner accepts all liability for theft or damage to their property.
    • Parks Staff reserves the right to cut any lock and remove any watercraft, under any condition it deems necessary for the function of the boat storage program.
    • See agreement for complete rules.
    If you believe your watercraft has been stolen or removed by Parks staff: Call a Park Ranger to report at (608) 235-0448.

    Additional storage may be available at the following: View all Canoe & Kayak Storage
  • Wisconsin residents aged 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Nonresidents aged 16 years old or older need a nonresident fishing license to fish in Wisconsin waters with hook and line. Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more information.
     
    Every year, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June and the third Saturday and Sunday in January, are designated as Free Fishing Weekends throughout the state of Wisconsin. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (and trout stamps) over these two days.  Visit WI DNR
    View all Fishing

  • Before you step out, check the status of your favorite rink!

    • FREE-TO-USE All designated rinks and lagoons are free to use. No reservation is required! 
    • CHECK THE STATUS Is the rink open? See the status below.
      • DO NOT skate, walk, or otherwise go on a rink or lagoon until it is declared open. Doing so is not safe and slows the opening process by damaging the ice.
      • While ice is never 100% safe, staff monitors the ice depth to be at least 5" to safely support humans and grooming equipment.
    • SKATE RENTALS Elver, Tenney and Vilas, Wednesday - Sunday (when the rink is listed as open)
      • No rentals on Mondays and Tuesdays. No warming shelters or concessions. 
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES for ice skate rentals are available. Call (608) 266-4711 to purchase. 
    • SKATE HELPERS for children and adults to assist in ice skating. Thanks to the Madison Parks Foundation, we have free-to-use Skate Helpers available at Elver, Tenney and Vilas.  
    • FREE LOANER SKATES Borrow a pair of ice skates to use while at the rink! Limited quantities are available at Olbrich, Rennebohm, Warner and Westmorland.
    • ATTEND a FREE ice skating event. 
    • LEARN MORE about winter recreation in Madison Parks.

    A big thank you to our many volunteers and the ADOPT ICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM! 

    View all Ice Skating

  • Madison Parks are a unique blend of active recreation and passive recreation spaces.  Open Fields are just that - open, not pre-designed as a softball diamond, or football field.  These open fields are available in these parks to spark your imagination, play a game of tag, or follow the leader - or anything you can think of!  Enjoy your parks!

    View all Open Fields

    • Tenney Park - Open Field Games

  • Parking lots are available in these parks for the programs or events in these parks.  Parking lots are available from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Overnight parking is not allowed.  Parking regulations specific to that park are posted at the entrance of the park. View all Parking Lots

  • *New Pickleball Locations*
    We have dual stripping (tennis and pickleball) at the following courts:

    • Olbrich Park - 2 
    • Reindahl Park - 4 north
    • Tenney Park - 3 (lighted)
    • Westmorland Park - 2
    • Wexford Park - 2
    Garner Park offers Madison's only dedicated pickleball courts, in addition, a number of tennis courts are also lined for pickleball. Learn more about the game and rules adopted by the USA Pickleball Association. 

    Pickleball courts may be reserved ONLINE.

    View all Pickleball Courts

    • Tenney Park - Pickleball Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: Yes
      Number of Courts: 3

      Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts (3)

  • With more than 175 playgrounds throughout Madison, you are never too far from a playground. According to the Trust for Public Land, Madison ranks #1 in the nation for the number of playgrounds available. The traditional swings and slides are always an option, as are new play elements and fully accessible playgrounds. 

    PLAYGROUNDS FOR EVERYONE
    Through the Madison Parks Foundation initiative, Madison Parks offers all-inclusive playgrounds in Brittingham Park and Elver Park, opening in 2019.  The Foundation has a goal of 5 fully accessible playgrounds. 

    PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS: HOW AND WHEN
    Madison Parks is responsible for maintaining more than 175 playgrounds and began a system-wide replacement initiative in 2013. With current staff and funding resources, replacements are scheduled to continue through 2033. Playgrounds are routinely inspected to assess the equipment's conditions and repair any safety concerns. Based on the age of the equipment and current conditions, each is given an audit score. The number of playgrounds replaced each year is based on budget allocations, staffing resources, and using the current playground audit score for prioritization. 

    REPLACEMENT PROCESS: NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT
    At the start of the replacement process, notices are sent to the District Alder, neighborhood association representatives, and surrounding residential addresses. Information is also posted to the project website. Generally, two public meetings are held to review surfacing and equipment options and make final selections.

    If you have questions about a specific playground or see something broken, please let us know. 

    View all Playgrounds

    • Tenney Park - Playground

    • Tenney Park - Playground

  • Restrooms News (07/11/2022)
    Beginning Monday, July 11, restrooms at Vilas, B.B. Clarke and Bernie's beaches will be open daily, weather permitting, from approximately 11am to 7pm. 

    Open public restrooms are listed below. All portable restrooms are accessible. 

    Year-Round: Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Warner Boat Launch, and Owen Conservation Park have restrooms that are open throughout the year. 

    Late April through First October Weekend, 10am to 8pm daily: seasonal restrooms are open the first Saturday on or after April 20 and closed for the season on the first Monday in October. Most beach restrooms remain closed, with the exception of Esther and Warner beaches. Starting Monday, July 11, beach restrooms at B.B. Clarke, Bernie's and Vilas will be open daily approx. 11am to 7pm through Labor Day weekend. 

    Winter: Elver, Tenney, and Vilas have open restrooms when the winter recreation amenity of that park is open. Please check Winter Fun for the status of winter recreation at a specific park. Other portable restrooms are also added in a number of popular winter recreation locations. 

    View all Restrooms

    • Tenney Park at John Wall Family Pavilion

      Location: 402 N. Thornton Ave.
      OPEN

  • Reserve a Shelter

    • See SHELTER PRICES for 2022 rates.
    • BEFORE reserving, be sure to see Parks Projects. We are continually improving our park system and some of these improvements may impact a nearby shelter. 
    • RESERVE one of three ways
      • ONLINE
      • Calling (608)266-4711
      • In-person at the Parks administration office 
    • Full payment is due at the time of processing your reservation, along with any required permits.   
      • Credit card (MasterCard or Visa) is the only accepted method of payment. 
    • All reservations are subject to our standard cancellation policy. 
    • Most shelters are open mid-April through mid-October (see exceptions below). 
    • The Shelter Reservations Guide provides details on seating capacities, and amenities such as outlets, fireplaces, and picnic tables.
    • 2023 reservations open Tuesday, November 8, 2022. 

    Shelter Open Schedule Exceptions:

    Note: 

    • Picnic shelters may be reserved online or by calling -OR- if not reserved, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Day of signage is posted at the shelter.
    • Madison Parks does not guarantee absolute privacy to any group.  Your reservation will reserve only the facility you are using, not the entire park or other facilities within the park. If you are interested in reserving the entire park, please visit Special Events.
    • Alcohol is permitted in most Madison Parks. Glass is never allowed. There are a handful of alcohol-free parks. In these locations, if you would like to bring alcohol, you will need an alcohol permit, which may be obtained when placing your reservation. An alcohol permit, without a reservation, is not given. 
    • Public improvements and/or construction may be underway during the time of your reservation.  The City of Madison Parks Division makes every attempt to schedule around events and shelter reservations whenever possible, however, this is not a guarantee.  Please keep in mind improvements to parks and infrastructure continues throughout the year.  Please visit Park Projects for a partial list of major capital improvement projects.
    • Firearms or weapons are not permitted at any of the shelters. Violators may be considered trespassers and may be subject to forfeiture or arrest.
    • The availability of Gates of Heaven may be checked online however, you will need to call to make your reservation.
    • Reservations for the following year begin in November of the proceeding year. 

    View all Large Shelters

    • Tenney Park at John Wall Family Pavilion

      Address: 402 N. Thornton Ave.
      Capacity: Seats 120 people inside/60 outside patio
      Restrooms: In shelter
      Water: Available in shelter
      Parking: Parking lot
      Alcohol-Free Park: Yes – alcohol permit is required.

      Shelter Details: Tenney Park at John Wall Family Pavilion
  • Slacklining or hammocking in a park is allowed following the guidelines below at specific times, on specific trees, and never in a conservation park. Always keep in mind, Park Rangers have the authority to remove or order the removal of any slackline or hammock which they deem as harmful to the tree or as a danger to the safety of park users. The best advice, WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T.
     

    Dos and Don'ts

    Tethering to trees for the purpose of slacklining or hammocking is allowed following these guidelines:
    • DO: Sunrise to 30 minutes prior to sunset
    • DO: Temporary only and may never be left unattended or overnight
    • DO: Only on trees greater than 1' in diameter and 4.5'
    • DO: Tree protect is used at connection points
    • DON'T: Never tether on Oak, Hickory or Birch trees
    • DON'T: Never in any conservation park 
    For more information, see POLICY & GUIDELINES
     

    Proper Tree Protection

    Tree protection is required for tethering any equipment to help prevent damage to the tree's bark. Carpet, foam pads or towels make good protection. Make sure the fabric padding completely encircle the tree at the connection points and is a minimum of ΒΌ" thick by 10" wide. For more information and examples, see  TREE PROTECTION
     

    Prohibited Trees

    Never tether on an oak, hickory or birch tree. When in doubt, don't For more information, see TREE IDENTIFICATION


    When in Doubt, Don't 

    Park Rangers have the authority to remove or order the removal of any slackline or hammock which they deem as harmful to the tree or as a danger to the safety of park users. 

    View all Slacklining and Hammocking

  • Many of the soccer fields are programmed with youth and adult league play.  If you would like to reserve a field or facility, please call the Athletic Scheduler at (608)266-4711.  Find out more about Athletic Field Reservations.

    Fields, open or closed?
    If a field reservation is canceled, a notification is emailed to the user who made the field reservation. Notifications are sent by 2:00 pm Monday through Friday and by 9:00 am on weekends and holidays. 

    View all Soccer Fields

    • Tenney Park - Soccer NW

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

    • Tenney Park - Soccer SE

      Bleachers: No
      Lighted: No
      Setup: Adult
      Type: Game

  • Madison Parks has nearly 100 tennis courts.  Most of the tennis courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. When courts are reserved, at least one must be left available for pick-up play. Please note that all tennis leagues and all tennis instructors must pay for a reservation, no matter the location. Go to: Athletic Field Reservations

    Practice Wall Locations
    Bordner, Brittingham, Elver, Olbrich, Tenney, Waunona and Westmorland

    Shared Pickleball Courts
    Brittingham, Door Creek, Elver, Heritage Heights, Kennedy, Nakoma, Norman Clayton, Northland Manor, Richmond Hill, Tenney, Walnut Grove, Waunona, and Westhaven Trails.
     

    View all Tennis Courts

    • Tenney Park - Tennis Court

      Surface: Asphalt
      Lighted: Yes
      Number of Courts: 3

      Notes: Tennis/Pickleball Courts (3)

  • Most of the volleyball courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If you are planning a new league or tournament see Athletic Field Reservations.
     

    Warner
    Warner Park

    View all Volleyball Courts

    • Tenney Park - Volleyball Court

      Location: By beach
      Surface: Sand
      Lighted: No
      Number of Courts: 1

About This Park

Get to This Park